2012 Force Majeure Vineyards Red Wine Collaboration Series I Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Mountain Washington

"The 2012 Collaboration Series I is a rocking blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance an even split of Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Perfumed, lifted and fresh, with notes of spring flowers, mint, graphite, liquid black cherry and raspberry-like fruit, it has full-bodied richness, solid mid-palate depth and plenty of fine tannin. It's made by Ben Smith and shows his more classic style. Give it 2-5 years in the cellar and enjoy bottles over the following decade or more. I'm being conservative on the drink window and it will evolve for longer. One of the top estates in Washington, Force Majeure has had a wealth of changes over the past few years, with new estate vineyards on Red Mountain coming on line, the departure of vineyard manager and partner Ryan Johnson, the hiring of Todd Alexander (from Napa Valley's Bryant Family Vineyard) as wine maker, and the bringing on board of Helen Keplinger as a consultant, with her role primarily to assist with the blends, all taking place in the past 1-2 years. In addition, 2012 will be the last vintage where the estate has used multiple winemakers. Going forward in 2015, all releases will be 100% estate fruit and made by Todd, with the goal to produce five wines; two Rhone blends, one Northern Rhone and one Southern Rhone blend; two Bordeaux blends, one Merlot-heavy Right Bank-style blend and one Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated Left Bank-style blend; and a Viognier. While the full impact of all these changes has yet to be seen, the wines I was able to taste from 2013 continue to showcase the heights Washington wines can hit. While I'm sad to report 2013 will be the last release for the Collaboration Series wines, I think the future looks very bright here and I'm looking forward to seeing what the new team accomplishes here." -Jeb Dunnuck Review Date: June 2015